Please recommend your favorite camera bag

jennievii

I have a small Tamrac bag and have been happy with it, but it's way too small for my needs now. I just got a Canon 50D and have a Digital Rebel, which will technically be my back-up equipment now, so I'm thinking it would make sense to have a bag that would fit both if need be. Right now, I do mostly portraits and most likely wouldn't bring back-up along for that (or should I?!), but am thinking it would make sense to have one that will fit everything. I think I can fit the 50D, 24-70mm lens and my flash in the Tamrac bag, but that's definitely it. Here's what I have:

50D
Rebel

Lenses:
24-70mm
18-55mm
50mm
70-300mm (cheap lens that I'll leave home most of the time)
Lensbaby

External flash

Is there a certain bag or brand that you recommend?

chrisdg

If you happen to want a backpack style bag with some space up top for lunch or accessories, I highly recommend one of the TAMRAC ADVENTURE models, available in 4 sizes and various colors:
http://www.tamrac.com/f_adventurebackpacks.htm

Adventure 7


Adventure 9




I have the Adventure 9 model and I rearranged the insert cushions to accept both of my bodies w/attached lenses, plus more. It holds everything you see in my signature line, plus flash and accessories up top. I use the laptop slot mostly for books/magazines/travel docs/etc.

Cygnus Studios

For a backpack I love the Lowepro Vertex 300 and for a hard case, the Pelican 0340NF 18" is a great one.

darkdragon

I used to like keeping everything with me and the Lowepro Slingshot 300 will do it. However, is there ever a reason you need everything on your back? I reconsidered because by the time i got somewhere to take picktures i was too tired from lugging it all.

If I need to take everything I carry it in a Pelican 1510 with padded dividers.

When I go to take photos, i think about what i'm trying to get photos of and take only the gear I need to accomplish it.

Art Scott

For weddings or anytime I am taking all of my Gear...it is my LowePro Pro Trekker......if I am heading out for short excursion or MC rides and do not need all of my gear...then I use a belt and shoulder harness system with 2 LowePro 75AW's attached, works well and is balanced and no weight on shoulders alone it is spread over back, waist and hips....with the bags easy to get to at my sides (remenicent of an old western gunslinger...just with
gigantic holsters:D:Droflrofl)

20DNoob

I'm pretty happy with the last bag I purchased the Lowepro Nova5. It holds much more than what it looks like it can.

All zipped up.




Gutted.



1D MkII N w/L Bracket
300 2.8L IS w/CPL
135L
70-200 2.8L
17-40L
2X TC
Large Blower
Spare Lenmar
77mm Kaesemann CPL
72mm to 77mm step up ring
Dust Aid kit
Allen key and 3 more CF cards in the lid pocket also.

rwells

I HIGHLY recommend the Think Tank Speed Racer.

I did a full review here.

I have since added a Speed Changer to the belt.


I have a closet full of bags to Pelican cases, and this bag is by far the most versatile, high quality, and convenient one that I've ever owned.

YMMV

paddler4

If you want a backpack ( a big if), I second Chris's recommendation of the Tamrac Adventure series. I search for a long time for a backpack that had several features I considered essential, including a separate place for things other than camera equipment (I don't want mayonaise on my lenses), outside water bottle holders (ditto, for water), and something to hold a tripod. The one that best fit my needs was the Adventure 9. It comfortably holds my 50D with a moderate lens (e.g., 17-85), several extra lenses, a flash, and other stuff. It is not perfect. It is very stiff (because it has a computer slot against your back, which means double the foam--handy when you want to carry a computer, obviously, but not when you don't); the non-camera section is small; and it lacks a good way to tie extra things on with bungies or straps. Still, in its size, it was the best I could find. If you want more non-camera space, you can buy the 10, whichis considerably larger.

kensington

I like the Crumpler bags alot, stylish with TONS of padding and they do not necessarily look like camera bags. I have a December Quarter and Four Million Dollar Home and am saving up for the Brazillion Dollar Home as my new 'take everything' bag. I use a Tamrac Pro 5 as my 'going light' bag. I prefer messenger style bags over backpacks. Way back when i did a coule of reviews for www.cambags.com way back when, nice site for real world reviews.

cdub

I have a Lowepro Slingshot 200 which I use for urban adventures/walking around town/PJ stuff, and a Lowepro Dryzone Rover which is perfect for day-trips, hikes, and multi-day adventures that include the potential of water, such as kayaking, sailing and beach stuff.

The Slingshot is great because it is low-profile. The Dryzone is great because it's fully waterproof, but also has a top compartment for lunch, or waters, or books, or... anything! And the HydraPak is cool too - holds 1.5 litres of drink, with a tube and valve that swing over or under your shoulder for easy access.

I debated getting a Vertex versus the Dryzone. It came down to whether I would prefer carrying lunch or a computer, and with a family in the plans, I thought carrying items like lunch would be more important... The Dryzone being waterproof and not an imposingly big backpack also helped its cause. The only downside I've noticed with it is a lack of small compartments/pockets for things like filters. Otherwise, I love it!

I love them both!

Joie

My "assistant" Gracie LOVES this one:








I was out on the farm this morning taking pictures of my daylillies and glanced around to see my cat Gracie playing with my camera bag.

MLangton

chrisdg wrote:

If you happen to want a backpack style bag with some space up top for lunch or accessories, I highly recommend one of the TAMRAC ADVENTURE models, available in 4 sizes and various colors:
http://www.tamrac.com/f_adventurebackpacks.htm
Adventure 9


I have the Adventure 9 model and I rearranged the insert cushions to accept both of my bodies w/attached lenses, plus more. It holds everything you see in my signature line, plus flash and accessories up top. I use the laptop slot mostly for books/magazines/travel docs/etc.

For mobility, I just picked up the Adventure 9 in gray. I have a trip to Europe tomorrow and do not want to lug the Pelican hard case around. I think the backpack is the way to go. Disclaimer: I have not had this on the plane yet, but as a weekly traveler, I am VERY impressed with the quality so far. The padding is very robust. The build quality seems great also.

The access panel for the camera is secured by additional buckle straps. This is very secure. Someone just cant sneak up behind you and unzip the pouch. They will also have to undo three straps. As long as your bag is on you it will stay pretty secure. A BIG selling point for me is that to the untrained eye, this does not look like a camera bag. It looks like just another back-pack.

I'll give an update when I return. So far, two thumbs up.

If mobility is not a concern, I don't think anything beats a Pelican.

barnyard

I have 2 Domke bags, an F1 and an F2. I've had them for years. They worked great with film cameras for weddings and still work well for digital goofing around (I do not work with cameras for a living anymore.)

I think bags are a really, really subjective thing. Some like tons of padding, me, not so much. Padding takes up room for stuff.

Tom B

ziggy53

barnyard wrote:

I have 2 Domke bags, an F1 and an F2. I've had them for years. They worked great with film cameras for weddings and still work well for digital goofing around (I do not work with cameras for a living anymore.)

I think bags are a really, really subjective thing. Some like tons of padding, me, not so much. Padding takes up room for stuff.

Tom B

Tom, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for your comments.

MLangton

FYI - Update:

OK, I just spent five days in Paris. The Tamrac Adventure 9 was everything advertised. It held up very well. From airport security, to the subway, I never felt concerned about my gear.

Two thumbs up.

Pupator

I still can't find a bag I love.

I've tried the Crumpler 6 Million $ Home.
I've tried the Lowepro Compu-Day Pack.
I'm currently using the Slingshot 200AW.

All of them were nice bags and have their advantages but all of them seem be a hassle when I need to changes lenses in the field. The Slingshot was supposed to be better at this (sling it around, unzip) but, while it does make getting the camera in and out of the bag that easy, it does not make lens changes any easier. I'm thinking I'm just going to have to keep lenses in lens cases attached to my belt, though that's a real hassle too since I'm normally getting on and off a bus frequently while shooting.

I'm open to any good bag recommendations as well.

Easy2Putt

After numerous research and re-researching, I ended up getting the KATA DR-467. For me I wanted to be able to stow the camera with lens and hood attached, immediately, with no fiddling with detaching the hood, taking off the lens, etc.

Here is my 80-200 f/2.8 attached with hood attached straight. However, you have to remove the inner, protective sleeve to use it in the fashion.


You can, however, use it with the inner, protective cover attached, but need to revers the hood then.


Here is a picture of the 80-200 f/2.8 in the top compartment as well. But, you need to have the hood reversed. (But it is big enough where I can store a 17-55 DX f/2.8, hood attached straight, in the top compartment)

ziggy53

Easy2Putt, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for the images and descriptions. Great first post.

Easy2Putt

ziggy53 wrote:

Easy2Putt, welcome to the Digital Grin.

Thanks for the images and descriptions. Great first post.

Thanks.